Hull (with 10 men) 3 West Ham 3 - Another 2 Points Tossed Away

I'm telling you, a team of 11 year olds have more tactical nounce than the bunch of clowns representing us at the moment - and more fire in their belly. The blinkered will say that we were unlucky today because of the Cole own goal and the dubious penalty, but they will then have failed to acknowledge that Franco should have seen red for a second bookable offence and Upson should have conceded a penalty in the second half for climbing all over Van Helsing. Even then, Jimenez did his best to set up Hull for a fourth with a blatant and unnecessary tug.

What is it with these idiots? To stop Hull, you mark Bullard and don't give away free kicks within 30 yards of your own goal. What did we do all afternoon, even when Hull were down to 10 men, we let Bullard roam around unmarked and took EVERY opportunity to concede free kicks around our box. The result was that Hull, the lowest scorers in the Prem before this game bagged three. I don't care what the idiots say about supporting the team, that was an appallingly naive and irresponsible performance from a team that are a shambles at the back. Upson isn't above criticism himself but he must be thinking, I need to get out of here fast if I want to get to South Africa.

What was Behrami doing today? He looked hopeless, chasing shadows all afternoon when we didn't have the ball and offering nothing creative when we did. Collison was good but was out on his legs at the end - there are fitness and stamina issues with this team, perhaps because they run so much instead of letting the ball do the work. Look at Bullard. He was head and shoulders better than any of our midfield because he retained the ball and delivered delicious passes when the opportunity to do so presented itself. I said before the game that he was Diamanti and Noble rolled into one. Sadly, we made him look like Hoddle, Beckham, Netzer and Tony Currie rolled into one! As good as he is, he aint that good! Who in our midfield puts his foot on the ball and picks a pass? Only Diamanti and we desperately need him for the game against Burnley.

We played like kids today. That's fair enough up to a point because Collison, Da Costa, Hines and Stanislas are kids, but big questions have to be asked as to why and how we have left ourselves so reliant on youngsters. No proper right back, no replacement left back and a raw young centre back - is it any wonder we are as leaky at the back as an incontinent old maid?

And look at our second half performance after Hull were reduced to 10 men. Apart from the goal (which loked like hand ball to me before Da Costa hit it home), we didn't create a proper chance until the last five minutes. Collison tired and so did Parker, and Hines looked out of his depth. I understand why Zola took Franco off, fearing a red card, but his withdrawal only served to demonstrate again that Jimenez is a light weight.

The optimists will try to take positives out of this game but the truth is, this performance showed that we are deep in trouble. We do not have a defence and should Cole or Franco pick up injuries, we won't have an attack either - unless Diamanti can step up to the plate.

We didn't lose, so relegation is not a certainty but it looks even more likely to me after today's game. No team should go in at half time a goal behind after going two goals ahead, even if playing against Arsenal or Barcelona. To do that against Hull City is criminally naive!

Player ratings: Green 6 (That first goal could only go in that top corner so why was Green a yard off his line as it curled in off Carlton's head?); Faubert 5, Da Costa 5, Upson 5, Gabbidon 3; Collison 6, Parker 7, Behrami 4, Stanislas 5; Cole 6, Franco 8
Subs: Hines 5, Jimenez 5